Taxidermy Truths

Red Heat occurs when bacteria break down the collagen in an animal’s skin, causing the hair follicles to deteriorate. The result can be hairslip, and a hard, brittle skin with a distinctive pinkish colour.
In this week’s Taxidermy Truths, Doug unpacks the science behind Red Heat and, more importantly, the practical steps you can take to prevent it.
From the role of salt, airflow and heat management to the correct techniques and timeframes for salting - Doug shares practical insights to help you protect your skins and create the best possible canvas for taxidermy.
The quality of a mount starts long before it reaches the studio. Correct skin preparation is critical to ensuring your taxidermy is a beautiful representation of your animal. 
Listen to the full episode on YouTube, Podbean and Apple Podcasts.
Have questions about trophy preparation? Reach out to us - we’d love to help.

What exactly is Dip & Pack?
A critical step in the taxidermy process, Dip & Pack is a veterinary-governed process that ensures the skulls, skins and horns of an animal are thoroughly cleaned of natural tissue and preserved for safe transport and further processing.
In this episode of Taxidermy Truths, Doug breaks down the Dip & Pack process, explains the timelines involved, and weighs up Dip & Pack vs Taxidermy.
From the field to the studio, Dip & Pack plays an important role in getting your animal ready for its next step. 
If you’ve ever wondered what happens to your animal after the hunt, this episode is worth a listen.

There’s nothing worse than having the adventure of a lifetime in Africa, only to have the memory tainted by a mount you’re not quite happy with.
That’s why choosing the right pose for your taxidermy is so important.
In this episode of Taxidermy Truths, Doug discusses different mount types, angles of turn, and the key considerations when deciding how you want your animal posed.
If you’re planning your taxidermy or dreaming about your next safari, give this one a listen.

A great safari starts well before you set foot in camp.
In this episode of Taxidermy Truths, Doug chats with Trey Sperring from Neal and Brownlee about the value a booking agent brings - from helping you choose the right outfitter to offering guidance before, during and after your hunt.
They discuss why firsthand knowledge matters, what a booking agent actually does behind the scenes, and how the right advice can help you avoid costly mistakes and make the most of your safari.
If you're planning an African hunt or have wondered about the role of a booking agent, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

The US shows in 2026 confirmed it: the hunting industry is alive and thriving.
A renewed energy is evident, with hunters young and old continuing to invest in wildlife across Africa and beyond.
Doug recently attended DSC and SCI in Atlanta and Nashville. In this episode of Taxidermy Truths, he shares insights from the show floor and what lies ahead for the 2026 season.

Conservation by the Bullet.
A recent article published in the Daily Maverick, highlighting the numbers of hunted animals in South Africa has sparked debate over the last few weeks. 
In this episode of Taxidermy Truths – rather than negating the viewpoint, Doug draws a comparison between the hunting industry and the Mohair industry, to highlight the similarities in conservation outcome and economic impact on South Africa. 
This is the outlook of the hunter, the taxidermist and the industry that adds tremendous value to conservation of wildlife in South Africa.

2025 has been an incredible year in the hunting industry, in South Africa and across the world. 
In this year’s the final episode of Taxidermy Truths – Doug provides us with a wrap up of 2025.
From tariffs and legalities to increasing hunting numbers and advances in technology, Doug unpacks some of the challenges and wins over the last year. 
To every listener, partner or follower – we are grateful for your incredible support. We can’t wait to bring you more stories, more information and more Taxidermy Truths in 2026.

Small skulls that are making a big impact on the hunting industry. 
On this episode of Taxidermy Truths, Doug sits down with the team from Skullies. 
Skullies create exact replicas of real skulls – in miniature, making them the ultimate safari souvenir.
The team from Skullies share what they have learnt over the last few years as the brand has grown and developed. They discuss the ever-changing 3D technology and the process of creating these incredible products from start to finish. Learn more about the inspiration for the collection and how you can create your own custom mini skulls.  
Little skulls and big dreams – you don’t want to miss this.

Tagging might seem like a small step in the hunting and taxidermy process - but it’s one of the most critical.
From the moment an animal is harvested, every part must be tagged correctly: species, body part, and the hunter’s full name. Proper tagging not only ensures that trophies are legally compliant for export, but also that each hunter receives their correct memories back.
But tagging doesn’t stop in the field. In today’s digital age, how we “tag” our hunting photos online matters just as much. Thoughtful, respectful sharing reflects both the ethics and heritage of hunting. 
In this episode of Taxidermy Truths, Doug unpacks both sides of tagging - the physical process that keeps everything above board, and the digital one that shapes how hunting is seen around the world.
Tune in and learn how to get the tagging right - in the field, and online.

We are wrapping up Heritage month in South Africa – and we’re excited to launch the third episode of our Only in SA series on Taxidermy Truths. 
South Africa has a culture of service, epitomized by the gentlemen at our gas stations that help us get back on the road safely. In this episode, Doug chats to a man with a uniquely South African occupation. Morren is a petrol attendant with a love for people and a heart of gold. 
This one will put a smile on your face – don’t miss it!